Private School News

One of Britain’s most prominent figures in independent education, the former Chairman of the Boarding Schools’ Association, Dr Stephen Winkley, has been appointed Headmaster of Rossall School, Lancashire. Dr Winkley will take over as Head of the 164-year-old independent co-educational school in June 2008 when current Head, Tim Wilbur, vacates the office to move to New Zealand to take up the post of Headmaster at Wanganui Collegiate School on the country’s north island.

A career educationalist, Dr Winkley has been lured from retirement to take up the position at Rossall and joins the school on a four year contract to oversee a programme of planned development on the 160-acre campus, which lies on the Lancashire coastline to the north of Blackpool. He retired from education in 2006 as Headmaster of Uppingham School, Rutland, a position he had held for 15 years. Prior to this he spent six years as Second Master of Winchester College Hampshire.

In 2003 Dr Winkley was elected Chairman of the Boarding Schools’ Association and is now recognised as one of the country’s main spokespersons for the independent education sector. His time as Chairman of the Association saw the sector experience a resurgence of interest with schools buoyed by increased boarding numbers, following years of steady decline.

Born in Norfolk, Dr Winkley was educated at St Edwards School and Brasenose College, Oxford, gaining an MA in Mediaeval and Modern Languages and a Doctorate in Byzantine Hymnology. He is married with two sons and two daughters and currently lives in the Kettering area.

Commenting on the new appointment, Rossall School’s Chairman of Council, David Stockton said: “Stephen Winkley has an excellent reputation and possesses the intellectually powerful leadership style that will inspire staff and pupils in equal measure. I am delighted that we have such a distinguished and capable man at the helm.”

Dr Winkley commented: “When approached about the position I had already been yearning for a return to education, believing that I had retired too early. The school and its plans provided the stimulus needed to return to education and I am relishing